Insoluble and Soluble Fiber Content Improves Digestion
Top 3 in Top 8 Health Benefits of Barley
Barley can improve gut health. Once again, its high fiber content is at blame – specifically, its insoluble fiber. The majority of the fiber in barley is insoluble, which means it does not dissolve in water, unlike soluble fiber. Instead, it bulks up your stool and speeds up intestinal transit, lowering your chances of constipation. Eating more barley improved bowel function and increased stool output in a four-week study of adult women.
On the other hand, the soluble fiber content of barley feeds friendly gut bacteria, which make short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). SCFAs have been shown in studies to help nourish gut cells, lowering inflammation and alleviating symptoms of gut illnesses such as IBS, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis.
